Drive-chain



(ModeL) I G.- S. BRIGGS.

DRIVE GHAIN.

No. 325,494. Patented Sept. 1, 1886.

N. PETERS. Fholbuthogrlpher. Washingtan. 0.0

FFICE.

PATENT GEORGE S. BRIGGS, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

DRIVE-CHAIN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,494, dated September 1, 1885.

Application filed May 13, 1885. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE S. BRIGGS, of Rockford, in the county of \Vinnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drive-Chains; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction in that class of drivechains which consist, generally, of a series of similar cast links, each of which is provided with a socket at one end and a crossbar atits opposite end, and in which the walls of the sockets are notched to receive the crossbars of the adjacent links in such manner that the parts can be connected and disconnected only when the links are placed in an unusual relative position; and it consists in the matters hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

The invent-ion may be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing three links of a chain constructedin accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same, taken upon line a: a: of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a plan view or elevation of two of the said links.

As shown in the said drawings, each of the links is constructed with side bars, AA, pro vided at one end of the link with short inwardly-extending tubular sockets B B, and connected with each other at the opposite end of the link by means of a crossbar, G, to which is attached a T-shaped head or second crossbar, D, united with the cross-bar Obyaneck, d, and adapted to engage at its ends with the sockets B of an adjacent link. The walls of the sockets B extend inwardly from the side bars, A, so as to form a bearing of sufficient width to properly engage the end portions of the cross-bar G. Said walls terminate some distance apart, so as to form aslot or passage, 2), through which the neck d passes when the links are connected, and the said sockets B are provided at their sides adjacent to the side bars, A, with notches or openings 11, to admit the ends of the said bar D in inserting the latter into the sockets.

In order to provide a rigid connection between the ends of the side bars, A, adjacent to the sockets, the walls of the said sockets are connected by a crossbar, B. The said. crossbar preferably forms a continuation of the walls of the sockets, and is located at one side or face of the link, and the notches b are located at points adjacent to the said crossbar and between the said cross bar and the side bars, A A, so that in inserting the crossbar D the latter must be passed first through the central opening of thelink and then through the notches, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The said notches b are preferably made of sufficient width to barely permit the entrance of the ends of the cross bar D, and said notches are so arranged also that the said crossbar can be passed through the notches only when the shoulders formed by the outer surface of the cross-bar C are placed against the side bars of the link and the links are held at an acute angle with each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The neck (Z joining the cross-bars G and D is preferably set at one side of the median plane of the link, or is laterally deflected, so as to form a notch or opening between the said crossbars at the side of the link adjacent to the crossbar B whenthe parts are placed together, the object of this construction being to prevent interference between the said cross-bar B and the neck (I when the links are flexed in a direction to bring the said neck towardthe said crossbar, and to thereby permit a sufficient amount or extent of fiexure between thelinks of the chain constructed as above set forth. This feature of construction is clearly shown in Fig. 2, in which one of the links is indicated in dotted lines in its flexed position.

The cross-bar D may be made of proper length to enter freely between the side bars, A A, of the link; but as an additional safeguard against the accidental disconnection of the links, and to adord more extended bearing-surfaces between the said crossbar and the sockets, the said cross-bar is preferably made slightly longer than the space between the said side bars, A, so that it becomes necessary to incline one link in passing its crossbar through another link preparatory to inserting the said cross-bar into the. sockets. The operation of inserting the said cross-bar between the side bars of the link is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1, and in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The notches b in the construction last described are, of course. extended sufficiently into the walls of the sockets at their outer ends to properly receive the said crossbar. The inner edges of the side bars, A A, adjacent to the notches b, are, as shown, cut away or beveled, as indicated at a, to permit the ends of the cross-bar D to freely enter the said notches. This particular construction in the side bars is not essential, however, inasmuch as in a link proportioned somewhat differently from those shown the notches b may be located entirely at one side of the side bars instead of extending partially between them, as herein shown.

I am aware that it has been proposed heretofore to construct a chain-link consisting of side bars and cross-bars and having at one (nd a T- shaped head and sockets at its opposite end adapted to receive the ends of the cross-bar of the head, the sockets being notched or open at one point to admit the ends of the said cross-bar to the sockets. A link embodying my invention differs from that last above mentioned in having at one end a T-shaped head and at its opposite end tubular sockets connected with each other by a transverse bar and provided with notches so arranged with reference to the bar that the crosspieoe of the adjacent link can beinserted into the sockets only by first passing it through the central opening of the link, as hereinbefore set forth; I

I claim as my invention- 7 1. A chain-link provided at one end with a T-head and at its opposite end with two sockets adapted to engage the ends of the T- head, said sockets'being provided with notches b adjacent to the side bars of the link and having a cross-bar, B, uniting the socketwalls, said cross-bar being located at the side of the notches remote from the side bars of the-link, whereby the T-head can be inserted into the sockets only by passingit first through the central opening of the link, substantially as described.

2. A chain-link comprising side bars, A A, and a cross-bar, O, and having at one end sockets B 13, provided with notches b b, adjacent to the side bars, and a cross-bar. B, uniting the walls of the sockets and located at the side of the notches remote from the side bars, A A, and at its opposite end a T-head consisting of a cross-bar, D, united with the cross-bar O by a laterally curved or deflected neck, d, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, GEORGE S. BRIGGS.

WVitnesses:

J. G. HAMILTON, FRANK L. VAN ARsDALE. 

